1941

A compelling chronicle of the year that transformed World War II from a European conflict into a truly global war.

In 1941, historian Richard Collier captures the dramatic events of the year that fundamentally changed the course of World War II. From Germany's fateful invasion of the Soviet Union to Japan's surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, this meticulously researched account reveals how twelve crucial months expanded the conflict across three continents and drew the world's superpowers into total war.

Collier masterfully weaves together the political machinations, military strategies, and personal stories that defined this pivotal year. He chronicles Hitler's disastrous decision to open a second front against Stalin, the siege of Leningrad, the German advance toward Moscow, and the brutal realities of warfare on the Eastern Front. Simultaneously, he tracks the escalating tensions in the Pacific that culminated in the attack that brought America fully into the war.

Through vivid storytelling and careful historical analysis, Collier reveals how the events of 1941 sealed the fate of Nazi Germany while awakening the industrial and military might that would ultimately defeat the Axis powers. From Churchill and Roosevelt's Atlantic Charter to the desperate battles for survival in besieged cities, this book captures both the grand strategy and human drama of history's most consequential year.

Essential reading for World War II enthusiasts, 1941 demonstrates how a single year's decisions and events can reshape the entire world.

Key themes: Operation Barbarossa, Pearl Harbor attack, Eastern Front warfare, global expansion of WWII, Hitler's strategic mistakes, Soviet resistance, American entry into war, turning points in history